We are committed to infusing the curriculum with the latest trending topics and emerging media. By incorporating insights from industry experts, we ensure our students are prepared for the ever-evolving landscape of journalism and mass communications—check out our latest special topics and pop-up courses.
Fall 2024
Pop-up Classes
Pop-up classes are short, one-credit-hour courses designed to allow students to dive into emerging industry trends and gain skills to prepare them for future careers. Pop-up classes are open to all UNL students and are Pass/No Pass.
JOMC 492/892.791 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
Branding Yourself in Today's Market
ONLINE 8/26-9/13
This online asynchronous pop-up course will explore strategies in better understanding how to brand yourself in today's ever-changing market. One of the best ways to articulate your skills, experience, knowledge, and overall worth in today’s competitive job market is to create a personal brand that helps you stand out in the crowd. Learn how to formulate your own value proposition and convey your knowledge, skills, and abilities to prospective employers. This course will leverage relevant social media platforms and other online portfolio tools to help you reframe how you approach your personal brand.
Faculty: Frauke Hachtmann
JOMC 292.951 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
Media Sales & Account Management
IN PERSON | 11/9-11/10 | 10 A.M.-6 P.M.
The pop-up will explore the world of media sales and account management. The fast-paced session will touch on everything from the skill set needed to succeed in the world of media sales and account management to developing and presenting a multimedia plan for a local business.
Faculty: David Thiemann
JOMC 392.791 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
The "Reel" Deal-Instagram for Storytelling
ONLINE 10/7-11/8
1 billion people use Instagram across the globe each and every month, spending an average of 30 minutes per day. 500 million people use Instagram stories every day and nearly 50% of people have visited a website to make a purchase after seeing a product or service. In the U.S., 26% of people aged 18 to 24 have recently used Instagram specifically to access coronavirus news. The platform provides countless opportunities for brands, businesses and organizations, from non-profits and for profits to large news organizations to tell stories and connect a message with a consumer. In this course, students will take a deep dive into the Instagram platform researching best practices, ethics and learning the ins and out of how to create and measure content. Students will learn and create content for the grid, stories, IGTV, reels, Instagram live and eCommerce to best leverage the platform to accomplish strategic communication goals.
Faculty: Tyler Thomas
JOMC 192.951 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
NYC Media Tour
TRAVEL DATES: 10/21-10/22 | CLASS MEETINGS: 10/3, 10/24 5-6 P.M.
Sign up to go on the 2024 NYC Media Tour by Friday, Sept. 27! Explore the city, network with industry professionals and alumni over fall break! This year we are offering this NYC Media Tour experience as a pop-up class with the option of taking the class for credit. You do not need to take the class for credit to participate, but you must sign up through the form below to go on the trip. Leading up to the NYC Media Tour students will be expected to complete pre-trip assignments and attend a meeting to prepare for the trip. It is important to note that students will be responsible for their own travel and lodging costs/arrangements.
Faculty: Natalie Becerra
ADPR 483/883.951 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
Portfolio Development
IN PERSON | R 10/10-11/7 | 5:30-8:20 P.M.
Need to dial in your portfolio? In this course you will learn how to improve your work and execute a variety of pieces that demonstrate experience in the form of a portfolio. Explore strategies to brand yourself using a portfolio to showcase the very best of your skills. You'll leverage relevant digital tools and media platforms to present your work to potential employers and clients.
Faculty: Mitch Benes
Prerequisites: JOMC 101, JOMC 130-134, ADPR 151, ADPR 221, and ADPR 283
JOMC 492/892.951 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
FISU World University Games Media Communication
ONLINE | R 8-9:15 A.M. | 9/26-12/12
Get real-world sports media experience by learning from sport industry experts and leading academics from around the globe about current issues related to global sports media events. The course meets weekly in live Zoom sessions with opportunities to interact and network with speakers representing diverse countries. The college has been invited to be the exclusive North American partner to the FISU World University Games held in Germany in July 2025. Students will have the opportunity to apply to work at the Games in one of three roles: reporter, photographer, or commentator. The selected student will receive training from mentors and join the ranks of the world's media covering the Games next summer. FISU will pay for this student's travel and accommodations.
Faculty: Frauke Hachtmann
Special Topics Classes
Special topic classes are new or emerging classes offered for three credit hours during a regular academic session - fall, spring or summer semesters.
JOMC 391.001 | 3 CREDITS
Healthy Notions or Fakery Potions: Health Topics in the Media
TR 9:30-10:45 A.M.
Students should take this course to increase critical thinking skills regarding topics that affect people at different stages of their life. By developing critical thinking skills towards health topics, students would learn to be more aware of industry practices and how these practices influence the way audiences view themselves individually and within societal norms. Also, students would have the opportunity to discuss sensitive topics and learn how to communicate about these topics within a public forum.
Faculty: Sharon Baldinelli
SPMC 291.700 | 3 CREDITS
Intro to Esports
ONLINE
Learn about all aspects of Esports as an industry and the many opportunities for participation in colleges and careers. Students will be immersed in experiences where they will develop skills used in the Esports industry. Students can explore the area of streaming content in the areas of broadcasting as reporters, casting live or recorded matches, live or recorded game analysis of a match, among other options determined by the students. Students will develop communication skills, understand Esports strategies and tactics, and implement production components for Esports events.
Faculty: Ahman Green
SPMC 391.001 | 3 CREDITS | IN PERSON
Sports Betting and the Media
TR 12:30-1:45 P.M.
This course will explore a myriad of approaches to the quickly spreading legalization of sports betting in the United States. Course topics include exploration of legal issues, foreign countries’ approaches to sports betting, ethical advertising and promotion of sports betting, media management’s relationship with sports books and professional sports leagues, review of past sports betting scandals, and critical observation of journalists’ current approaches to covering sports betting in the U.S.
Faculty: Brian Petrotta
SPMC 391.002 | 3 CREDITS
Sports Broadcasting
TR 9:30-10:45 A.M.
Sports Broadcasting examines many areas of electronic sports media including production of sportscasts, play-by-play broadcasts and documentaries, interviews, podcasting, show hosting and producing, sports media history, hardware and equipment, sports sales and careers (on the air and behind the scenes). This course is designed to help introduce you to the various components of a career covering sports in the electronic media. It also examines current issues in sportscasting, ethical considerations and inclusive opportunities in the field.
Faculty: Bill Doleman
This section is for ADPR/SPMC/JOUR majors only. BRDC majors should enroll in BRDC 375.001
JOUR 491.951 | 1 CREDIT
Global Eyewitness
MINI SESSION: 10/28-12/20
Students in Global Eyewitness will be a part of the college's award-winning program during the 2024-2025 academic year. Through Global Eyewitness, you will have the opportunity to travel and develop compelling stories from all parts of the world by connecting problems with possibilities. You will embrace the ethical obligation to boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. *Over the 2025 winter break you will travel to Vietnam.
Faculty: Chris Graves and Shoun Hill
Learn More
Have Questions? We're Here to Help!
